02/01/2008 City CouncilFebruary 1 -2, 2008
The Edmonds City Council retreat was called to order at 9:45 a.m. on Friday, February 1, 2008 at the
Clearwater Resort in Suquamish, Washington.
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
Friday, February 1
Gary Haakenson, Mayor
Michael Plunkett, Council President
Peggy Pritchard Olson, Councilmember
Steve Bernheim, Councilmember
D. J. Wilson, Councilmember
Deanna Dawson, Councilmember
Dave Orvis, Councilmember (arrived 10:20 a.m.)
Ron Wambolt, Councilmember
Saturday Februa1y 2
Gary Haakenson, Mayor
Michael Plunkett, Council President
Peggy Pritchard Olson, Councilmember
Steve Bernheim, Councilmember
D. J. Wilson, Councilmember
Deanna Dawson, Councilmember
Dave Orvis, Councilmember
Ron Wambolt, Councilmember
PUBLIC PRESENT
Friday, Februaa I
Don Gough, Mayor of Lynnwood
Chris Fyall, Enterprise Editor
Saturday, February 2
John Reed, Planning Board Member
Marianne Burkhart, Port Commissioner
Brent Carson, Attorney representing Bob Gregg
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2008
1. Welcome & Introductory Comments
a. Council President Michael Plunkett
STAFF PRESENT
Friday February l
Tom Tomberg, Fire Chief
Al Compaan, Police Chief
Duane Bowman, Development Services Director
Stephen Clifton, Community Services Director
Brian McIntosh, Parks & Recreation Director
Noel Miller, Public Works Director
Kathleen Junglov, Asst. Admin. Services Dir.
Mark Correira, Assistant Fire Chief
Debi Humann, Human Resources Manager
Scott Snyder, City Attorney
Linda Carl, Senior Executive Assistant
Jana Spellman, Senior Executive Council Asst.
Jeannie Dines, Recorder
Saturday February 2
Tom Tomberg, Fire Chief
Al Compaan, Police Chief
Duane Bowman, Development Services Director
Stephen Clifton, Community Services Director
Brian McIntosh, Parks & Recreation Director
Noel Miller, Public Works Director
Scott Snyder, City Attorney
Linda Carl, Senior Executive Assistant
Jana Spellman, Senior Executive Council Asst.
Jeannie Dines, Recorder
Council President Plunkett described the schedule and additional materials and commented on recording
of the retreat.
b. Mayor Haakenson
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i. Common Knowledge Base
Mayor Haakenson recalled at last year's retreat following discussion regarding the City's financial future,
Administrative Services Director Dan Clements described several potential revenue sources and
Councilmembers identified sources they were in favor of pursuing. He advised the sources and the
Council's 2007 ranking was displayed on the wall today. He recalled the Council made a decision in
2007 not to pursue an EMS levy, which he noted made it imperative that strategy be pursued in 2008. He
briefly commented on the updated forecast model that illustrates without the EMS levy, the City's cash
balance falls below zero in 2009.
ii. City Positive and Negatives
Mayor Haakenson referred to a questionnaire he circulated asking the Council for the five best things
about the City and the five challenges facing the City, commenting the Council's answers reflected their
tastes, beliefs and understanding of current City issues. He pointed out the primary challenge facing the
City was lack of revenue which would not allow the City to continue to offer the services that citizens
expect. He advised staff and he were considering ways to cut $500,000 from the 2009 and 2010 budget
including reorganization to increase efficiency.
iii. Refine 2007 Retreat Strategies
iv. Departmental Challenges
Mayor Haakenson referred to challenges identified by each department, emphasizing more employees
were needed now and in the future as the demand for services increased. He pointed out salaries and
benefits constitute 70% of the General Fund; any further cuts would require the elimination of programs.
He explained the future was in technology, providing the ability to do more business via web and more of
an employee's workload via technology. However, more technology required more IT staff and
equipment. He summarized the updated forecast identified the need for more revenue.
2. Projection Model & 2007 Retreat Strategies
a. Updated Model: Changes
Assistant Administrative Services Director Kathleen Junglov displayed and reviewed the General Fund
ending fund balance forecasting model, advising the model was updated for 2007 year end. She identified
the ending cash balance recommended by GFOA best practices, the projected ending fund balance when
the 2007 -2008 budget was developed (that included an EMS levy), the current forecast with available
information which includes an EMS levy in 2008 effective in 2009 and the projection without EMS or
other actions. She advised the projected rate of increase for 2009 -2012 was 3.5% for expenditures and
2.4% for revenue. In 2009 expenditures will exceed revenue by $1.3 million, by $1.7 million in 2010,
$2.2 million in 2011 and 2.6 million in 2012 even including an EMS levy in 2008.
b. 2007 Retreat Strategies
i. Budget Reductions
ii. Efficiencies
iii. Revenues
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Mayor Haakenson referred to the revenue options the Council ranked last year, advising all those options
were still available to Council; some the Council could enact, some required a vote of the people and
some required action by the Legislature. He invited the Council's input on these options, particularly any
they wanted to aggressively pursue. He commented on several of the future revenue options.
4. What's Completed & New: Draft 2008 Strategy
a. Individual Item Discussion and Review
Ms. Junglov reviewed the following future revenue options the Council ranked at the 2007 retreat and
provided an estimate of the revenue each would provide and the financial impact to citizens:
• Reduce Cemetery Subsidy
• Sale of Surplus Property
• Cable TV Utility Tax to 6%
• Ferry Traffic Mitigation
• "Seattle" Internet Charges
• Highway 99 Petition Annexation
• EMS Property Tax Levy Lid Lift
• Transportation Benefit District
• Electric Utility Tax Increase to 7%
• Natural Gas Utility Tax Increase to 7%
• Telephone Utility Tax Increase to 7%
• Solid Waste Utility Tax Increase to 7%
• Water Utility Tax Increase to 7%
• Sewer Utility Tax Increase to 7%
• Storm Utility Tax Increase to 7%
• Emergency Transport Fee at $450
• Sales Tax Economic Development
• Traffic Light Cameras
• B &O Tax
• General Property Tax Lid Lift
Discussion followed regarding the impact of B &O tax on car dealerships that were adjacent to cities
without a B &O tax, indication by AWC that in determining eligibility the State would consider whether
cities were using all the revenue tools available to them, per employee tax utilized by other cities, and
revenue from fiber optics used to fund capital expenses during the current planning period.
b. Discussion of Major Items
i. EMS Levy
Fire Chief Tom Tomberg explained if the 2008 EMS levy lid lift passed, it would restore the lid of the
permanent levy rate to $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed valuation (AV), adding approximately $1.5 million in
2009 for a total of $3.952 million. He advised the current EMS levy rate on a $500,000 home was $160;
lifting the lid to $0.50 per $1,000 AV increased that amount by $90 to $250 per year or an additional
$7.50 per month. He listed several items that limited revenue challenges in 2001 - 2008, and described
how EMS funds were used, the cost to provide EMS services, other costs attributable to EMS not
identified in the Fire Department's programmatic budget, and considerations for selecting a date for the
EMS election.
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Discussion followed regarding concern with the amount of levy increase due to increased property values
since the last increase in 2002, funds from the levy reducing the General Fund subsidy of the Fire
Department, past citizen support of EMS levies, and whether a 60% voter turnout was required.
Chief Tomberg reviewed non - advocacy educational outreach and commented on unknowns regarding
response to an all -mail ballot. Council and staff discussed the ability of staff and the Council to advocate
for the levy when off -duty and not using City resources, union support for the levy, earlier receipt of all -
mail ballots and need for early educational outreach, cost of the 2002 levy, scheduling a presentation
before the Council and whether to schedule a public hearing, support for asking voters for the resources to
provide services, cost of a special election, pros /cons of various election dates, election filing deadlines,
timing to prepare for an April election, and support for an April or May election.
It was the consensus of the Council for staff to move forward with a presentation to the Council on
February 19; Council President Plunkett to detennine whether it would be a public hearing. It was also
agreed to schedule the EMS Levy on the Public Safety Committee agenda for discussion and to vet
information to be provided in the presentation.
Lynnwood Mayor Don Gough advised he was attending the retreat to learn how Edmonds City Council
conducted their retreat, commenting he hoped to attend a few other cities' retreats.
ii. Insurance EMS Billing
Chief Tomberg explained the basis for EMS billing, when a citizen used an EMS unit for ambulance
service, it would trigger a fee for service that could be a flat fee, a menu of services, etc. He reviewed the
City's brief history with EMS user fees in 1997, EMS fees in this area and throughout the country, the
underlying concept of EMS user fees that property tax and EMS levy pay for pre- emergency components
of the system, and the variety of ways an EMS user fee ordinance could be are written. He summarized
jurisdictions with EMS user fees nearly always billed the user's insurance company.
He reviewed a table of 2007 Edmonds Fire Department transports and potential revenue. Mayor
Haakenson stressed this would require a major public education effort. He requested direction from the
Council whether they wanted staff to pursue further information regarding insurance EMS billing as a
possible revenue source. The Council discussed the importance of any model not impacting the chain of
survival, support for billing insurance companies, Everett's model that did not bill residents or employees
and did not pursue anyone unable to pay and concern with any practice that made a resident worry about
getting a bill. Chief Tomberg assured the ability to pay was never a condition of service.
Suggestions included billing insurance only and not residents, not pursuing this further until a decision
was made regarding the EMS levy, staff being precise in their recommendation that this was needed for
revenue purposes, obtaining a vote of the people before instituting the fee, staff making a presentation
regarding other actions the Legislature make take that would provide relief for the General Fund, and
identifying programs that could be eliminated if the City had insufficient revenue.
The Council requested staff provide further information including potential models and the Council
would make a policy decision. The Council preferred a model that billed insurance carriers.
3. Lunch
The meeting was recessed for lunch from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.
b. Discussion of Major Items (con't)
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iii. Fire Service Structure
Chief Tomberg referred to primary and overarching challenges facing all City departments and specific
Fire Department cost challenges. He referred to the memo regarding a new direction for the Edmonds
Fire Department, requesting authorization to assemble an internal group to examine options to take the
Fire Department out of the City governmental structure. He commented on the City's unsuccessful
merger discussions with Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace in the 1990s. He anticipated removing the
Fire Department would stabilize City finances on a more permanent basis than other reductions /revenues.
He described upcoming changes in Fire District 1 and other issues that made this an appropriate time to
study options. Discussion followed regarding a change in the fire service structure not saving citizens
money, advantages of the Fire Department being outside the City structure, potential for economies of
scale, concern with the role of cities if districts were formed to provide services, increases due to labor
contracts, inadequate funding and staffing of fire administration, how changing the structure would save
money, the need for more employees to provide existing Fire Department service levels, and citizens not
aware of significant funding issues due to the City's previous ability to address financial crises.
Suggestions included that the primary consideration should be public safety not money, ensuring any
partners had the same commitment to public safety, concern with forming a Fire District that included
areas that did not support EMS levies, forming a taskforce /panel of individuals who are interested in
pursuing options, possibly considering a district structure for law enforcement in the future, considering a
general property tax levy increase to fund services, whether the City was charging Woodway enough for
services.
Mayor Haakenson summarized the Council's direction was for staff to begin pursuing discussions and
return to Council with further information.
Mayor Haakenson advised several Woodway residents had expressed interest in annexing to Edmonds; he
anticipated it may be a discussion worth having with Woodway. A brief discussion followed regarding
how Woodway was able to justify their large lot zoning. The Council gave Mayor Haakenson permission
to discuss annexation with Woodway's Mayor.
Human Resources Manager Debi Humann commented on the difficulty filling positions and retaining
staff. In response to a Councilmember questioning whether staff was really overworked, a robust
discussion ensued regarding staff burnout, replacing staff with inexperienced people unable to meet
service levels, staff that has left and why, limited clerical support in all departments, staff members doing
more than one job, reasons that employees stay, gradual deterioration of infrastructure, ability to balance
the budget thus far by not investing in physical or human infrastructure which would eventually catch up
to the City, FTE in Edmonds compared to other cities, demand that turnover places on limited Human
Resource staff, inability for departments to make additional cuts without cutting personnel, unfunded
mandates affecting the Police Department and other departments, competitive private job market, citizens
complaining about service levels but not wanting taxes increased, need to educate the public and
differences between private business and the City.
( Councilmember Dawson left the meeting at 2:30 p.m. due to illness.)
iv. Traffic Signal Cameras
Mayor Haakenson recalled the Council supported this concept last year. Police Chief Al Compaan
explained in 2005 the Legislature authorized the use of red light cameras at intersections where two
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arterials intersect. He explained the red light cameras captured a digital photograph of the vehicle and the
license plate and 1.2 second video recording. He described Seattle and Lynnwood's experience with the
cameras including number of citations issued, percentages that were paid, revenue collected as a result of
citations, and public support for ticketing red light violators. He described potential intersections on the
Hwy. 99 and SR 104 corridors, the difficulty providing officer red light enforcement at some
intersections, requirement to post intersections informing red light cameras were in use and the process
the vendor would use to determine suitable intersections. He commented on Seattle and Lynnwood's
experience with red light violations and accidents once the cameras were installed. He advised photo
radar was only authorized in Washington State in school zones. The use of red light cameras would
ultimately require adoption of the State statute.
Discussion followed regarding ability for the public to view the video when contesting the citation,
potential intersections, support for the cameras if they increased safety but not if they provided only
revenue, public support for red light enforcement, Washington requirement that the photo /video capture
only the vehicle and license and not a photo of the driver, review of violations online by an officer before
a citation was issued, concern with privacy and a preference to increase traffic safety via use of solar
speed signs, ticketing a more transient population in Lynnwood versus ticketing primarily residents in
Edmonds, and the ability to provide citizens who receive a citation the website and password that allowed
them to view their violation online.
Staff was directed to provide information regarding potential intersections to the Public Safety
Committee.
(Councilmember Dawson returned at 3:15 p.m.)
v. Harbor Square /Safeway Redevelopment
Ms. 7unglov advised staff was asked to provide an economic forecast regarding the Harbor
Square /Antique Mall redevelopment. Using information provided by LMN regarding the number of
residential units, commercial square footage and construction costs, she provided assumptions regarding
one time revenue from the sale of the property and units, estimated to be $1.8 million, and permit revenue
on construction and sales tax on construction of approximately $5.6 million when the project was
complete. She described assumptions with regard to market value and sales price of residential units,
commercial lease rates, assessed values, influx to local revenue of employee spending, commercial
business that may locate there, and phased construction.
A brief discussion followed regarding anticipation there would be little added cost to the City as a result
of redevelopment, opportunity for substantial income from redevelopment, and nominal sales tax
collected from existing businesses on the site.
vi. Transportation Benefit District
Community Services Director Clifton explained in 1987 the Legislature created Transportation Benefit
Districts (TBD) as an option for local governments to fund transportation improvements. The legislation
was amended in 2005 and again in 2007 to expand the use and revenue authority. He explained a TBD
was an independent taxing district that could impose taxes or fees either through a vote of the people or
Council action. There have recently been discussions regarding establishing a countywide TBD.
Formation of a countywide TBD requires execution of an Interlocal Agreement between 60% of the cities
in the County representing 75% of the incorporated population. He referred to an Association of
Washington Cities (AWC) Frequently Asked Questions and a checklist highlighting considerations when
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creating a TBD. He identified several Snohomish County cities including Lynnwood, Everett and
Mountlake Terrace who have expressed interest to Snohomish County in forming a countywide TBD.
Snohomish County has until May 22 to form a countywide TBD via Interlocal Agreement; after that time,
cities can form TBDs independently.
He explained a project list would be included in the Interlocal Agreement, an oversight committee formed
that was comprised of representatives of cities and the county, and described fees that could be imposed
such as a $20 /license fee and revenue that fee would generate. He relayed staff and Mayor Haakenson's
support for exploring the possibility of forming a countywide TBD.
Discussion followed regarding forming a countywide TBD versus the City forming its own TBD, concern
a countywide list of projects was not as acceptable to citizens as a list of local projects, use of TBD funds
for regionally significant projects within the City that would offset funds the City was planning to spend
on those projects, ability for the County to impose a license fee even if Edmonds did not participate in the
countywide TBD, inability for the City to have input on the project list if it did not participate in the
countywide TBD, the need to fund infrastructure improvements, adding a subarea clause to the Interlocal
Agreement, regional traffic issues Edmonds citizens encountered outside the City, and potential for a
south county TBD if Snohomish County did not form a countywide TBD.
The Council was interested in the concept of a TBD and directed staff to develop a list of potential
projects.
5. Afternoon Break
6. Where Does City Go From Here?
a. Review Proposed Changes
Mayor Haakenson referred to the list of potential revenue sources and invited Council guidance on the
remaining sources. Council requested staff provide further information to the Finance Committee
regarding revenue that would be generated and the impact to citizens from increasing internal utilities
(water, sewer and storm) to 7 %.
b. Approval of 2008 -09 Plan
10. Discuss Adding Second Audience Comment Portion to Council Meetings
Council President Plunkett advised this item was added to the agenda at the request of a citizen who
wanted public comment at the beginning of the meeting and again at the end. Council President Plunkett
explained the policy has been to have public comment following public hearings to avoid costs associated
with professionals who were present for those items. Following discussion, the Council agreed no change
would be made to the current policy regarding scheduling public comment.
11 Adopt a Dog
Council President Plunkett advised this was proposed by a citizen due to the number of homeless dogs
being euthanized. The citizen was willing to bring a dog to a Council meeting once a month and possibly
Councilmembers could take turns walking the dog in front of the dais. Following a brief discussion
regarding expanding the program to include cats, similar programs in other cities and including
information regarding pet adoptions on Channel 21, the Council agreed to try the Adopt a Dog program.
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12. Hiring of Consultants
Councilmember Olson relayed her concern that in the past the Council had paid a great deal for a
consultant's work and then did nothing with the information they developed. She wanted to ensure when
the Council authorized a consultant, the information they prepared would be used.
Discussion followed regarding good data that could be provided by a consultant study that helped educate
Council even if the Council did not agree with the consultant's conclusion, concern with hiring
consultants and not using the information they developed, factual information consultants provided that
was used as a foundation for Council decisions, providing more direction in the RFQ regarding the
desired outcome and the use of consultants when staff did not have the necessary expertise or time to
conduct the study.
The Council was supportive of providing consultants more direction regarding the desired outcome of a
study.
13. Discussion of Use of Channel 21 by Declared Candidates
Council President Plunkett recalled prior to the last election two candidates used Channel 21 for
constituent meetings. He asked whether the Council was interested in establishing a policy prohibiting
anyone running for election from using Channel 21 for constituent meetings in the year they were running
for office.
City Attorney Scott Snyder offered to provide a bill currently before the Legislature restricting the
appearance of Councilmembers and incumbents, explaining the focus of the bill was not using public
resources except in the course of the elected official's normal duties.
Discussion followed regarding a political meeting versus a constituent meeting, support for a video voters
guide on Channel 21, possibly allowing the use of Channel 21 for constituent meetings if that was the
routine practice of the elected official, and placing a challenger at a disadvantage if the incumbent was
allowed to use Channel 21 for a constituent meeting. It was suggested prior to the next election, the
Council develop voluntary campaign limits that did not allow large campaign contributions over $1000 or
contributions outside the City as well as a voluntary agreement to abstain from constituent meetings
during an election year in fairness to the challenger. Mayor Haakenson commented constituent meetings
had been part of his regular practice.
Council agreed to continue this conversation on Saturday.
The first day of the retreat concluded at 4:43 p.m.
7. Dinner
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 2 2008
The second day of the retreat was called to order at 8:40 a.m.
1. Lake Ballinger: Elevating Water Quality and Quantity to Priority Issues
Councilmember Wilson recalled the Council passed a resolution regarding the stewardship of Lake
Ballinger and the Development of a Lake Ballinger Basin Action Plan at an earlier Council meeting. He
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advised staff from Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Lake Forest Park, and Shoreline were
working on an action plan for the basin, including submitting a request to the Legislature for $200,000
and they planned to submit a federal request for $200,000. He advised Legislators were open to signing
letters of support.
Councilmember Wilson provided a brief history of the problems associated with Lake Ballinger, advising
Shoreline and Lake Forest Park were in the process of passing resolutions.
Discussion followed regarding an email from a property owner on the lake who was having difficulty
selling his home due to the history of flooding; the cost to fix problems; the need to define water quality,
water quantity, and fish habitat issues in order to define solutions; additional $200,000 in funds to be
provided by cities; use of a consultant to develop a plan that identified problems and solutions; ability to
pursue other grants once the problems and potential solutions were identified; the history of problems
with Lake Ballinger; and support for the cities working together cooperatively.
2. Identifying Areas of Common Interest among the Council for Action in 2008
Councilmember Wilson advised this item was placed on the agenda at his request. He suggested the
Council develop a work plan or a short list of items to be accomplished to guide the Council and avoid
adding agenda items at the last minute. Discussion followed regarding changes to the Council's work
plan as issues arise, items the Council was waiting for Planning Board to complete, possible need to
review the Planning Board's work plan to ensure their priorities are the same as the Council's, and
potential redevelopment as a result of language added to the Comprehensive Plan for Five Corners and
Firdale Village.
Councilmembers identified the following items for a 2008 council work plan (no priority):
• Lake Ballinger
• UW Campus in Snohomish County
• Speed Mitigation
• Economic Development
• Business Recruitment
• Sidewalks and pedestrian safety
• EMS Levy
• Code Rewrite
• Overlay cycles
• Crumbling infrastructure
• Stevens Hospital's plans to sell or rebuild — whether Edmonds wants to have a hospital within its
borders
• Antique Mall /Waterfront Development
• Code Update including updating codes with green building standards
• Affordable housing
• Biennial budget
• Staffing levels
• Street crimes taskforce
• Transportation Benefit District
• SnoCom CAD project
• Community Technology Advisory Committee
• Design standards for downtown
• EMS billing
• Utility taxes
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• Sustainability
• Anti - idling ordinance
• Tourism — promoting revenue generation
• Campaign finance
• Update building codes to accomplish sustainability in neighborhood centers
• Campaign finance reform
• Bond measure for pedestrian safety improvements
Mr. Snyder pointed out the City Clerk maintained an extended agenda; he suggested the items the Council
identified be included on the extended agenda in some manner. With regard to issues raised by citizens,
he suggested the Council evaluate and schedule them on the extended agenda in a rational manner to
allow the Council to control its agenda.
Public Works Director Noel Miller advised the Senior Center was at the end of its useful life and
decisions would need to be made in the near future. The Council requested staff provide a report on the
condition of the Senior Center building, options, etc.
Discussion continued regarding issues that take on their own life via the press, difficulty prioritizing
items, concern if the items were not prioritized they would not be addressed, and the role of Council
committees to vet issues.
Suggestions included identifying and tracking the top three things the Council wanted to accomplish in
2008 such as the code rewrite, accessing the list of issues if the Council needed something to work on,
selecting an issue from the list for an update to the Council at a meeting with a light agenda, the Council
President distributing the extended agenda at Council meetings and identifying important upcoming items
for the public, providing the Council materials a week in advance for major items on the agenda, and
better utilizing the committee structure such as first scheduling items on a Council committee agenda.
Mr. Clifton commented another upcoming issue was the Verizon franchise agreement; once Verizon
submitted an application, the City would have 90 days to react. Mr. Snyder advised a report would be
made to the Council in the near future regarding the process.
3. Update and Discussion of 2004 Strategic Plan Long Range
Council President Plunkett referred to the Draft Mission/Vision Values & Strategic Plan contained in the
Council packet. Discussion ensued regarding guidance provided to staff by the document, importance of
establishing a work plan and identifying who was responsible and due dates for issues to accomplish this
year, concern items would not be addressed without a date /name /plan, keeping the strategic plan up -to-
date, and identifying a staff person to keep it up -to -date.
Suggestions included adding the items identified by the Council to the strategic plan with deliverables,
due dates, staff lead, etc.; having the Council President and Council President Pro Tern sort the items
identified by the Council by Council Committee and having the Committees vet the issue and determine
staff/Councilmembers responsible; having staff consider Council priorities in the budgeting process and
identifying funding if it was expected the item would be undertaken in the next two years.
7. Density of Building Lots in Multi - Family Zone
Councilmember Wambolt reported on an ADB meeting he attended where the Board was discussing a
developer's proposal to replace a 100 -year old single family home on Maple Street with a 3 -unit
condominium. He commented on the impact this had on the neighborhood. He relayed staff's indication
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that the multi family zoning had not been considered for a long time and their plans to review it when
time allowed. He urged staff to review multifamily zoning in the near future. His primary objection was
the destruction of the look of the city via too many units in too small an area.
Councilmember Bernheim commented on two Planning Board hearings he attended where the
proponent's justification for a rezone to RM 1.5 versus RM 2.4 was that both were within the
Comprehensive Plan designation of high density. He objected to the City not receiving anything other
than a further burden on services from the grant of higher density. He suggested any increase in density
for downtown units be conditioned on the City getting something in return such as architectural style,
contribution to a fund, etc.
Discussion included green buildings /low impact development resulting in more dense development in
urban areas, need to increase density in some areas if density were reduced in other areas, need to address
any significant change in density at the Comprehensive Plan level, redevelopment occurring in
neighborhoods surrounding downtown a result of increased property values, continuing to meet the City's
population targets, and increased density as an incentive for green buildings /low impact development.
Suggestions included determining ways to encourage increased density while getting something in return
such as affordable housing, green buildings, etc.; establishing criteria/standards that need to be met to
attain increased density; considering how multi family zoning was addressed by other cities and
developing options; and giving consideration to codes that allow the most environmentally sensitive
development to occur with appropriate incentives. It was also suggested that Councilmembers who had
items they wanted addressed provide them to the Community Services /Development Services Committee.
It was agreed Mr. Bowman would provide an update to the Community Services /Development Services
Committee on February 12.
4. Break
8. Process for Obtaining Council Approval for the Mayor's Appointments - Voting /Advertising
Council President Plunkett recalled the Council previously discussed whether to vote the same night
interviews were held and the practice of advertising vacancies. Councilmember Bernheim reviewed his
suggestions for changing the process in an effort to get more Council control over appointments, 1)
Council interview candidates in open session, rank the applicants and select the one with the highest
score, or 2) establish a Council nomination committee who would solicit and interview applicants and
recommend one or more candidates to the full Council for a vote.
Discussion followed regarding support for a more public process, who would serve on a nominating
committee, scheduling Council confirmation on a subsequent meeting agenda if the Council continued
with the current Mayor appointment /Council confirmation process, concern the Council not able to
interview more applicants, difficulty getting people to apply for some vacancies, some boards' practice of
interviewing candidates and telling the Mayor which one they wanted, concern with the process becoming
politicized, need for consistency in the process of selecting members for all boards and commissions,
interest in a more public process only for selecting ADB and Planning Board members, concern with a
lack of check and balance if the Council interviewed as well as confirmed candidates, role of the Planning
Board to advise the Council, concern the ADB and Planning Board was rubberstamping staff's
recommendations, goal of appointing objective qualified people to boards and commissions, changes that
can occur in Council membership during a Planning Board Member's term and potential to reduce the
number of candidates if the process were onerous, embarrassing or stressful
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It was agreed to continue the existing appointment /confirmation process. The Mayor would advertise
positions, send applications to Councilmembers and advise of interview dates. Council interview and
confirmation would be done at separate Council meetings.
Staff, except Stephen Clifton, left the retreat at 11:30 a.m. Councilmember Wilson thanked staff for their
open and honest engagement in discussions.
5. Further Discussion of Concerns, Visions, Interests regarding the Waterfront
Council President Plunkett referred to materials Councilmember Wilson and he developed that could be a
reflection of the Council's desire with regard to Harbor Square Antique Mall waterfront redevelopment.
He requested the Council's input regarding the acknowledgement statement. Councilmember Wambolt
provided a brief review of the process to date, commenting no plans had ever been presented at a Council
meeting. He suggested having Mark Hinshaw, LMN, present the refined conceptual plan to the Council
to provide an opportunity to see the plan and provide comment.
Discussion ensued regarding concern that too much delay would result in the property owners submitting
code - compliant applications, support for a staff presentation regarding what was currently allowed under
the Comprehensive Plan and changes that could be made to the code without amending the
Comprehensive Plan, whether changes to the Comprehensive Plan would be necessary to achieve public
amenities, and whether the Council wanted to make a statement with regard to the Harbor Square Antique
Mall waterfront development.
Mr. Snyder cautioned the Council that a Comprehensive Plan process and code change would be
necessary to allow alternatives that did not currently exist in the code. He suggested hiring an
urbanologist to assist in this effort.
6. Working Lunch
Discussion continued regarding use of the Comprehensive Plan as a guide, flexibility provided by the
Comprehensive Plan to create a zone with amenities the Council wants, support for the Council
determining the vision for the site following a public process, interest in seeing other development
options that met the Comprehensive Plan, concern the refined conceptual plan represented a compromise
that the property owners were not interested in pursuing, property owners' frustration by what they
envisioned would be a lengthy process, code - compliant plans that would provide minimal setback and
surface parking, history not a good indicator of what will happen in the future and anticipation the
ownership of the old Safeway property may change, and anticipation the owner of the Skipper's property
will submit a development application by the end of the year. It was suggested the presentations also
include a range of development options.
The Council agreed on the following statement:
With regard to the waterfront Antique Mall, Harbor Square and Skipper properties, the
Council recognizes the importance of being proactive rather than reactive. It is the
intention of the Council to work collaboratively with the property owners to establish a
plan for the area that is consistent with the values and vision of'the Council and the public
as a whole and the rights of the property owners and to move forward expeditiously with a
public process that may result in legislative changes necessary to achieve the goals of the
city.
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
February 1 -2, 2008
Page 12
Brent Carson, GordonDerr LLP, advised Bob Gregg had acquired the Skipper's property and hired them
to evaluate the best process to achieve what would be a positive development for the City. He looked
forward to working with the City in a collaborative, timely manner.
The Council directed staff to provide a presentation at a Council meeting on the existing framework with
regard to the Comprehensive Plan, code and zoning to provide the Council a base knowledge, followed by
presentations by the property owners, public comment on what they would like to see, and Council
discussion and identification of next steps. It was agreed to have the presentations, public comment and
Council discussion at regular Tuesday meetings, with presentations at the one meeting and public
comment and Council discussion at a second meeting.
9. Council's Oversight of the ADB and Planning Board
Councilmember Wambolt commented on the need for some Council oversight of the ADB and Planning
Board. He described a recent ADB meeting where the ADB identified a number of problems with a
project and agreed to continue the matter. When the architect objected to the delay, the ADB approved
the application without regard to their previous concerns. He suggested Councilmembers attend meetings
and report to the Council.
Discussion followed regarding videotaping and broadcasting Planning Board and ADB meetings on
Channel 21, costs and issues associated with videotaping and broadcasting Planning Board and ADB
meetings, the ADB and Planning Board's indication they did not want their meetings taped, importance of
publicizing the activities of the City's boards, and the potential for webcasting versus broadcasting on
Channel 21.
Mr. Snyder suggested discussing equipment with Verizon during franchise negotiations and that the
Council consider contracting with Edmonds Community College for offsite equipment and services.
It was agreed the Outreach Committee would investigate taping and broadcasting /webcasting of ADB and
Planning Board meetings including costs.
. I I
Councilmember Wilson suggested a community like Fairhaven for next year's retreat, a place the Council
could learn from and that could include a walking tour, etc. The Council discussed pros and cons of
holding the retreat in the City versus out of town.
Council Executive Assistant Jana Spellman agreed to check dates and costs for a retreat in the Fairhaven
area and email Councilmembers. Selection of a date for the retreat would be scheduled on a future
Council agenda.
ADJOURNMENT
The retreat was adjourned at 2:12 p.m.
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
February 1 -2, 2008
Page 13